Nevada Daily Mail remembers columnist Carolyn Thornton

Saturday, September 26, 2020
Carolyn Gray Thornton, community volunteer, long-time columnist for this newspaper as well as mother and wife of 71-years holds the Woman of Distinction Award from the American Association of University Women-Missouri. Nominated by the local AAUW branch the presentation was made May 5. The 93-year young Thornton stands in her apartment next to a wall of photographs featuring her siblings and parents.
Daily Mail file photo

Carolyn Gray Thornton, long-time columnist with the Nevada Daily Mail and community volunteer, has passed away at age 95.

"It is with a heavy heart we salute Carolyn's farewell to glory," stated Nevada Daily Mail Publisher Lorie Harter. "It has been an honor to feature Carolyn's articles over the many decades she contributed to our community newspaper. Our readers have faithfully subscribed to the newspaper to read of her reflections, vivid memories and fond array of outings she shared. Her legacy at the Nevada Daily Mail will continue to inspire all of us for many years to come. Our condolences to the family, we have you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

The youngest of eight (three boys and five girls), Carolyn was the daughter of Pearl and Chester Gray. Although many of her siblings attended George Washington University in the nation's capital (where their father worked), Carolyn went to the University of Missouri.

Graduating in 1946, the same year she married Lester Thornton (to whom she would be married for 71 years), Carolyn had minored in what was termed Home Economics and majored in English.

Carolyn received many awards over her writing career and through her community service, including being Nevada’s 1994 Citizen of the Year as well as receiving the 1992 Women Helping Women award from Nevada’s branch of Soroptimist International and being named the 1996 Woman of the Year by Nevada’s Business and Professional Women’s club. In addition, the Missouri Writers’ Guild recognized her in 2002 with its best historical article award and in 2005 with its best magazine column award. She also received the Woman of Distinction award from the American Association of University Women of Missouri (AAUW) in 2018.

When she received the award from the AAUW in 2018, she noted, "Receiving awards is nice but if what I write or what I’ve done helps people, that is the great reward.”

"That statement she made brings a smile to my face because reading Carolyn's many columns throughout the years and getting to know her since I began in journalism a decade ago has been one of the most cherished rewards of my career," stated Nevada Daily Mail Editor Sarah Haney. "We will miss you, Carolyn."

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